Method of processing motion picture films



Aug. 20, 1935. G, J. GAGE 2,011,576

METHOD OF PROCESSING MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed March 5, 1952 3Sheets-Sheet 1 IL t 1 1211 GeorgJGa' 2- IN VENT R Aug. 20, 1935. G JGAGE METHOD OF PROCESSING MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed March 3, 1932 3Sheets-Sheet 2 George 59% 4 1% A ORNEY Aug. 20, 1935. G. J. GAGE2,011,576

METHOD OF PROCESSING MOTION PICTURE FILMS Filed March 5, 1952 5Sheets-Sheet 3 i 1 1 -fi /F 4l- I 59 11:. 619 21 m 8 3i J3, if -25 I 325* 7 1 l l .x

GeorgeJGa 6 IN VE Patented Aug. 20, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEMETHOD OF PROCESSING MOTION PICTURE FILMS George J. Gage, Seattle, Wash"assignor of onehalf to George M. Ballentine, Seattle, Wash.

Application March 3, 1932, Serial No. 596,564

Claims. (Cl. 18-56) This invention relates to a method of procthe film.Broadly, this is the purpose of any 68 118 Printed motion picture film.invention.

when an exposed light-sensitive material is Both new and old film havebeen successfully laced in a developer, the chlorine or bromine treatedto close the surface voids in the metallic 6 istaken away from thesilver, and the black silver of the emulsion and to make the surfaces "6metallic silver which remains behind forms the plane or smooth. By newfilm, I refer to film image. This image is made up of grains, becausethat has never been run through a projector, as 32%? i i? mm s it? 2? ti fif 3 fi id ti iiiiss m e ormo croscopic crys an w en imes an s a onon 1v 1 it the bromide is taken away from each of these, rder, h wever,to in ba k t l film many W the crystal breaks up and a tiny coke-likemass of of the qualities which it originally possessed, such metallicsilver remains behind i exactly th as a high degree of flexibility, inorder that the same position as the bromide crystal from which film maybe looped r adily without resultin in it was formed, .so that, wherea thoriginal fracturing the emulsion, and to clean the film and Y f5emulsion consisted of microscopic crystalline correct discolorationthereof, and also to lubri- I5" grains of the sensitive silver salt, thm image cate the film to further insure its free passage consists' ofequally microscopic grains of black through the projector, I preferablymake use of a metalli il .Chemicauy, thi removal of t cleansing,discoloration-correcting and lubricatbromide ,from the m t lli sflven iknown as ing solution such as is described in my abandoned a reduction,A moti picture fil b i no application Serial No. 534,219, filed May 1,1931. diirerent fr m any th photographic material In order that thoseskilled in the art may fully with respect to th h i l m of t andsatisfactorily practice the method herein image after th d ti process11; l be claimed, the solution referred to is described preciated thatthe aforestated microscopicgrains herein as made up of the followingparts, Wlti Q" 0! a k m tallic silver combine to form at the chloroform18fiu1dounces 2s" emulsm side of the m number of Carbon tetrachloride110 fluid ounces. nmtesimal Voids- I ve discovered that these w tpetroleum 5 drams. ds ar s oner or later filled up with wax, mamm wax 4dram. t on and dust, and in the ordinary movement Victoria blue 2 ormore ounces o -o the film thro h a cot machine, the 3 a particles of g,ft are, by This fluid has a very low temperature drop and the heat of thprojection arcs, converted mm has no damaging effect, chemically ormechanhard bits of carbon. In time, these bits of carbon E1 the811111181011 or the celluhid of the k oose Luce, g a g gzfiz a mi 532;:In the above statement of my invention, I have i referred to theexistence of carbon deposits in $25, 32:; 2 2:: 2 m iggg g the surfacevoids of old or used film. Now, it ob- 8 m of c n 1 id b M t n th tviously follows from what has been said that when n M e F g 3 processingold film strips the surface of the emulra g 2 e ows as e sion should befirst cleaned and treated with the 40 H as no b e should be med on themm aforementioned solution and all hard foreign parin its movementthrough the pmjector' as ticles removed therefrom, after which theloosened the tensile strain placed on the celluloid particles and dirtshould be thoroughly collected tends to same to creep away from the inorder that thefilmmay be perfectly clean before a enmmm- This filcmmalresistance upon the it is permitted to undergo its final treatment to 5the tendency the Humid move make smooth the surface of the metallicsilver. re ativ y to the emulsion 800D fracture the emlll- An importantobject, therefore, is to provide a 810D. B y the Sound track and atmethod of processing printed motion picture film 110118 places in theframes the fi mwhich will not alter the intended or necessary I I havedisc ve d a y P op ly P s ng positions of the images and will so preparethe printed film the objections otherwise resulting, such as those abovestated, can be entirely eliminated. Proper processing of the fllmincludes a step'ofmaking plane or substantially smooth the ll iblaek'metallic silver surfaces on the emulsion of sure area.

strains on the emulsion are removed and it is possible to maintainconsiderably better association of the pictures with the optical systemof the projector and insure better and clearer projection of thepictures and to retain the sound tract more correctly co-ordinated withthe light cell of the sound circuit and the sound tract made clear so asto allow more faithful reproduction of sound.

My present invention comprises the novel method herein disclosed andclaimed, and as will be more particularly defined by the claims whichterminate the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a typical form of apparatusfor carrying out my method.

Figure 1 illustrates my mechanism in elevation, the film guiding andengaging members being shown in section for better illustration.

Figure 2 is a general plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a vertical axial section through the drum forming part ofthe machine.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of the machine.

Essentially my method consists in passing the film strip F between twosmooth surfaces pressed together uniformly over a considerable area,that is to say, throughout a considerable length of the filmstripadvancing the film strip and the smooth surfaces, uniformly pressedtogether throughout their contact area, simultaneously at identicalrates of speed, whereby a continued pressure effect is obtained equalthroughout all portions of that part of the film strip which is betweenthe contacting surfaces, ultimately leading the film strip out after ithas been pressed between the two surfaces for a period of time. In orderto accomplish all the ends in view. as heretofore outlined, the methodpreferably includes the step of supplying a liquid, such as thatdisclosed in my aforementioned abandoned application, to the surfaces ofthe film prior to its entering the pres- It is also preferred to applyheat to the film when in the pressure area, especially when such aliquid is employed. Thus the contact zone becomes also a heated zone.

I prefer that the temperature of the film be raised and maintainedwithin this heated zone at perhaps 190 Fahrenheit or higher-up to about210 F. The temperature in the heated zone determines, to some extent,the time during which it remains in this zone, or vice versa. Especiallywhen the liquid substance mentioned is employed, I have found that thefilm may be properly processed by continuing it into the contact andpressure zone for from two to three seconds traveling at a rate of aboutfeet a minute, with the temperature between the limits mentioned above.If the film is processed at higher speeds, the temperature may beincreased considerably over the maximum named, hence I do not wish to beunderstood as naming 210 F. as a critical or maximum temperature, nor aslimting the process to such a temperature factor. This is merely thetemperature which experience has demonstrated to be a safe temperature,operating at the speed given, and. without provision for cooling thefilm or preventing access of air thereto.

A mechanism for carrying out this processing of the film convenientlycomprises a hollow drum l of sufficient peripheral extent to givecontact through the period and at the speed mentioned, or an equivalentcontact at some different speed. An endless belt 2 is wrapped partlyabout the periphery of the drum. This belt may be of various materials.I have found flexible brass to be most suitable. It is of about thewidth of a strip of film,

and the drum preferably is flanged, as indicated at IU, whereby the filmF is exactly positioned between the belt and the periphery of the drum.Thus it may not move laterally. The belt is guided by guide rollers 20,2!, 22 and 23. One of thesefor instance, the roller 23-may be a driveroller connected to a suitable source of power such as the motor M, andanother pulleyfor instance, the pulley 2l-may be connected with atightening means such as the tension spring 24 and bell crank lever 25,so that an amount of tension, determined by the adjusting nut 26 used inconnection with the spring, may be applied to the belt such as to causethe proper amount of pressure to be applied to the periphery of thedrum.

For convenience in applying liquid from the tank 3 to the surfaces ofthe film, and to spread the liquid, I provide guide rollers 4, 40 and 4|about which the film strip passes and whereby its direction is reversed.In passing from the wind-off reel 50, the film passes first about theroller and in this run one surface may be coated by liquid from thedischarge spout 3| depending from the bottom of the tank 3. Itsdirection is then reversed between the rollers 4| and 4, and liquid froma second discharge spout 32 coats this surface. The liquid upon thesurface first coated is spread by the roller 4 about which it passes,and excess liquid, dirt upon the surface, such as dust, carbonizedmatter, machine oil, and the like, all loosened and carried by theexcess liquid, comes off on the soft felt or cloth surface of the roller4, this soft surface being indicated at 42. Similarly, the roller 40 hasa surface of like character, indicated at 43, which acts upon theopposite face of the film.

The several rollers and the reel 50, together with the wind-on orreceiving reel 5, are in alignment with the drum l and with the belt. 2,and properly guide the film strip into position between the belt and theperiphery of the drum, and when it reaches the pulley 23, the film strippasses directly about this pulley and upon the wind-on reel 5.

The drum, as has been stated, is preferably heated, and to heat it I mayemploy an electric heating element 6 supported within and insulated frombrackets 60 inside and preferably close to the periphery of the drum,the heat from this heating element being transmitted to a liquid such asoil, filling the interior of the drum. Insulated leads El and 62 throughthe trunnion 63 of the drum permit the transmission to the heatingelement of electric current, while a thermostat 84, connected in circuitwith the heating element and in communication with the liquid to beaffected by its heat, controls the temperature of the drum.

The various parts heretofore described are suitably supported upon aframe 1'. The motor M drives the pulley 23 through such means asreduction gearing contained within the gear box 10, the vertical shaftH, and the pair of bevel gears 12, one of which is connected to theshaft 2! which supports the pulley 23. Thus the belt I is driven, and byits bearing upon the drum I, it causes the latter to rotate at preciselythe same speed.

To rotate the wind-on reel 5 it is supported upon a spindle 55 carryinga clutch element 5'6 with which is lightly engaged a clutch element 51rotatable with a sprocket wheel 58, over which runs a chain 59. Thischain is driven from a sprocket wheel 75 upon the shaft 21, and becauseol tho clutoh oolmeetionat 58, 51, the reel 6 is driven 'alwayaata/speed sufficient to take up the m it leaves'thepulley and the drum I.The reel N b-supported upon a spindle 52, and a clutch device 5;exertssumcient drag on the rotaticli o'fthis rel to prevent itoverrunning at the usual operating speeds of the machine Current issupplied from mains 8 through switches 80 and 8|. From the switch 80leads 82 extend to the motor M. From the switch 8| leads II and 84extend to binding posts 85 and 88, respectively, one of these leadsincluding a .warning light 81 which indicates when the current ispassing through these leads. Associated with the terminal posts 85 and86 are brushes II and 89, respectively, the one contacting with a ring68 connected to the lead 6| and the other contacting with a disk 69connected to the lead 62, and thus current is supplied to the heatingelement 6 while the drum I supporting the same is rotating.

Such details may be varied to suit the desire or convenience of thedesigner, the important principles of the machine being embodied in thetwo smooth surfaces which press together uniformly over a considerablearea, represented by the periphery of the drum I and the belt 2, andwhich receive between them the film strip so that as it travels along itis subjected to pressure and to heat supplied while in the pressurezone. Pressure and heat, thus applied to the film, flatten the silverdeposit on the emulsion while the latter is slightly soft, so as togreatly, if not entirely, close the voids in the cellular structure ofthe silver.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. The method of processing motion picture films comprising thecontinuous passage of the film through a zone wherein heat and pressureare applied thereto simultaneously and equally, over a considerablelength of the film.

2. The method of processing motion picture films comprising thecontinuous feeding of the film into and through a heated zone ofconsiderable length maintained at a temperature of about F., and at arate to pass from said zone in a few seconds, and applying to the filmduring its passage through such zone pressure substantially equalizedthroughout.

3. The method of processing motion picture film which comprises theapplication to the films surface of a substance having lubricatingqualities, and the subsequent application of pressure to the film todistribute the substance uniformly there- 4. A method of acting upon themetallic silver image formed in the emulsion of a printed photographicfilm to make substantially plane the exposed side of the emulsion,comprising simultaneously applying heat and surface pressure to apredetermined length of film to slightly soften and flatten theemulsion, while retaining the length against longitudinal and transversemovement, and progressively acting on like lengths of the film aspreceding lengths thereof are released from such conditions and whilepreventing relative movement between the length being acted on and thesurface pressure media.

5. The method of processing printed motion pitcure film comprisingremoving foreign matter from the surface of the emulsion thereof, thenapplying uniform surface pressure to the film throughout a predeterminedlength thereof to thereby flatten the silver deposit and reduce thedepth of the voids contained therein.

6. The step in the method of reducing the depth of the voids in themetallic silver on tin emulsion of a printed photographic film; comprising applying uniform pressure to the surface of the film throughouta predetermlned' length thereof, while preventing relative movementbetween the film and the surface pressure media.

'7. The steps in the method of reducing the depth of the voids in themetallic silver on the emulsion of a printed photographic film,comprising pressing the surface of the film while holding the filmagainst movement relatively to the surface pressure media and whileheating the film to maintain the emulsion in a uniformly soft stateuntil the pressure is released.

8. The method of making substantially plane the surface of the metallicsilver on the emulsion of printed photographic film comprisinginterposing a predetermined length of the film between co-operablemovably supported pressure surfaces within a zone in which the lengthbeing acted upon is maintained at a relatively fixed, emulsion-softeningtemperature, and moving the pressure surfaces and said length atidentical rates of speed and while acting upon the surfaces to maintainuniform pressure thereof against the opposite sides of the length, thenleading the length from between the surfaces and from said zone.

9. The method of processing printed motion picture film comprisingcleaning the film of foreign matter, interposing same between movablysupported pressure surfaces within a zone in which the film is heated toslightly soften the emulsion and moving the pressure surfaces and thefilm at identical rates of speed while maintaining pressure of thesurfaces against opposite sides of the film which is equal throughoutthe portion thereof being acted upon.

10. The method of processing printed motion picture film comprisingcleansing and lubricating the film, then interposing same betweenco-operable movably supported pressures surfaces, within a zone in whichthe film is heated to slightly soften the emulsion, moving the pressuresurfaces and the film at identical rates of speed while maintaininguniform pressure of the surfaces against opposite sides of the film,whereby to flatten the exposed surface of the emulsion. then leading thefilm from between the surfaces and from said zone.

11. The method of processing printed motion picture film comprisingtreating the film to cleanse, lubricate and correct discolorationthereof, heating the film to slightly soften the emulsion; and advancingand maintaining surface pressure against the film for a predeterminedperiod of time while the emulsion is soft.

12. The method of processing printed motion picture film comprisinginterposing a length of a continuous strip of film between co-operablemovably supported pressure surfaces, moving the surfaces and the stripat identical rates of speed while establishing and maintaining uniformpressure of the surfaces against opposite sides of the length beingacted upon, then releasing the length from between the surfaces at theexpiration of a predetermined period of time.

13. The method of processing printed motion picture films comprisingcleansing the film and applying a lubricating substance thereto, andapplying to a predetermined area thereof heat to slightly soften andpressure to flatten the emulsion.

14. The method of processing clean printed motion picture film whichcomprises the application of a fluid light-filtering substance thereto,and the uniform application of surface pressure to ithe film to causeequal distribution of the substance over the surface of the film.

15. The method of processing printed motion picture film to correctdiscoloration thereof which comprises cleansing the film to removeforeign deposits and viscous substances therefrom, then uniformlyspreading a fluid lightfiltering substance over one side of the film.

GEORGE J. GAGE.

